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Point Pinos Lighthouse is the oldest active lighthouse on the West Coast.
Located
on the edge of a golf course in Pacific Grove, deer run amiably around
the greens of the Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Course, which sides to the
Point Pinos Lighthouse. Golfers are accustomed to watching for moving
objects which include tourists hoping for an up close view of the historic
building from the 16th hole tee off. The gated lighthouse is difficult
to see and photograph from its street entrance, so many a tourist wanders
behind it on the public course to sneak a peek. Point Pinos Lighthouse is one of
over 35 California lightstations.
Leased to the City of Pacific Grove / Museum of Natural
History by the U.S. Coast Guard, the popular attraction is listed as #77000312
in the National Register. Point Pinos Lighthouse went into operation in
1855, serving an active shipping industry along the coastal waters of the
Monterey Bay, not far from San Francisco. Built primarily of stone, it
includes a half story brick tower where the original Third Order Fresnel
lens has shone a beacon of light for nearly 150 years. First illuminated
by a whale oil lamp, kerosene was used beginning in 1880 and electricity
has provided light since 1919.
While the lens has served its purpose well, the lighthouse
had to be rebuilt after an earthquake shook its foundation in the early
1900's. When its first keeper, Englishman Charles Layton, met an
untimely death in a posse chase of a bandito, his capable wife was then
appointed keeper.
The grounds include a Cape Cod styled Point Pinos Lighthouse,
an oil house, cistern and radio beacon. It is open on weekends for
public viewing on Lighthouse Street. Information: 408-648-3116
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